Mykhailiuk Scores 17 Points in NBA as Ukraine's National Team Falls to Spain

Performances by Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk and the Ukrainian National Team

According to Главком: Ukrainian basketball player Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk returned to the Utah Jazz rotation for their game against Oklahoma, logging 23 minutes of playing time. The Jazz lost the contest 111-146. Mykhailiuk contributed 17 points, marking his second-best scoring performance of the 2026 season, just behind the 18 points he scored against Toronto on February 3, 2026. He also recorded 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, and 1 foul.

2027 World Cup Qualifying Campaign

While Mykhailiuk was playing in the NBA, the Ukrainian men's national basketball team continued its campaign in the 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifiers. In the fourth round, Ukraine suffered a 78-64 defeat to Spain. The match was characterized by Spain's clear dominance, as they won three of the four quarters (16-9, 12-12, 24-22, 26-21). The Ukrainian team faces a tough group in these European qualifiers, where every victory is crucial for advancement.

In the third qualifying round, Ukraine was handed a heavy 66-86 loss by Spain. However, in the second round, the team secured a convincing 88-71 victory over Denmark. Their first qualifying match also ended in Ukraine's favor, with a 79-92 win against Georgia. Oleksandr Kovliar was the top scorer in the Georgia game, putting up 31 points along with 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

• Viacheslav Bobrov achieved a double-double with 11 points and 15 rebounds.
• Oleksandr Lypovyy added 13 points.

Thus, the Ukrainian team continues its fight for a spot in the World Cup, demonstrating mixed results in the qualification matches.

Mykhailiuk's return to the Jazz lineup could positively impact his future NBA career, as he shows consistent performance in games. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian national team faces challenges in the qualifiers but continues to battle for a chance to compete on the world stage, highlighting the importance of each match for the team's development ahead of future tournaments.

As Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk continues to make an impact in the NBA, his recent performance highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Ukrainian national team in their quest for World Cup qualification. For a closer look at Mykhailiuk's impressive return to action, including his scoring efforts in a previous game, check out how he managed to score 14 points in just 9 minutes of play during a recent contest for Utah here.